At The Boss's Command

Case wasn’t wearing his suit jacket, just a baby-blue shirt sitting as enticingly around those wide shoulders as his tailored jacket had been. His trousers were dark and his deep aqua silk tie brought out flecks of dazzling light in his eyes.

Gawd, he looked good. Too good. She shifted on her black heels. ‘Me, too. Surprised, that is.’ At the roses, at herself, at her email accepting this assistant job and at her tenacity.

He shot her a sheepish grin. ‘I figured you’d think it was below you…’

‘Not at all,’ she said smoothly, flicking her fringe back. ‘You’re my boss and I’m quite happy to do whatever you feel best serves the company.’

‘Yes, well…’

She stepped forward, her fingers flexing, a crazy desire to run her hand over his smooth clean jaw rushing through her. ‘And thank you for the flowers.’

‘Flowers? Me?’ He cast a look to the windows. ‘Sorry, I don’t know anything about flowers.’

Tahlia paused. ‘You didn’t send the flowers?’

‘Look, about you being my assistant—’

Didn’t he still want her as his assistant? Didn’t he want to admit he had the finest taste in roses? Or that he’d been thinking of her…?

‘Is there something wrong?’ she asked slowly, trying to make him out—just standing there looking incredibly gorgeous. His blue gaze pinned her to the spot, making her heart clatter in her chest. ‘I can procure you a secretary from somewhere else in the office if you think I’m unsuitable in any way,’ she said in a rush, running through the possibilities of stealing someone from somewhere for him if that was what he wanted.

Case stood immobile, his brow furrowed as though he was having some war of his own.

Tahlia flicked back her fringe, standing taller. What was she thinking? She had to do this. It didn’t matter how cute or hot or serious he looked. ‘But I do think that your idea of me helping you out and acclimatising you to the office is a great one. Save you a lot of time and it’s not like it has to be for ever, just a few days or so. I can help you out and do my job, just from the desk here.’ She jabbed her thumb behind her.

That should be enough. It wasn’t as if he would pose much of a challenge, not when he was looking at her like that, running his gaze down her black trouser suit that was tailored perfectly around the soft curves of her hips, the jacket contoured perfectly to shape her waist, the lapels small but angled low, highlighting the lace chemise-like top she wore like a shirt and the view of the valley of her breasts it afforded.

It was a great choice for suggesting a softer, gentler side, a side that was all ears to whatever he wanted to share.

‘Great. I’m glad you agree…’ He ran a hand through his hair, pulling his gaze to her face and her Peach Passion lips ‘…with my idea. That’s great… I’m sure this will be great. Thanks.’

She sauntered to the chair by the wall, gripping the back tightly, avoiding the windows. How long would she have to endure this extreme torture at the mercy of those incredible blue eyes and deep voice and steamy looks?

Tahlia slid on to the chair, crossing her legs carefully. ‘So where do we start?’ she said softly.

Case sat down, holding his hands tightly in front of him. ‘How about we start with you? How about you tell me a little about your history, your aspirations and what the company needs to do to help you fulfil those goals?’

‘My goals?’ She couldn’t help but stare at the guy in the big black leather chair that was going to be hers, the office that ought to have her name on it, the walls she was going to hang her photos and qualifications on and the bank of windows that she’d been ready to hang vertical blinds on. What could she say?

He leant forward, his eyebrows rising slightly. ‘You do have goals?’

‘Of course I have goals,’ she bit out. How dared he? ‘I’ve had goals since I was twelve, when I decided I was going to run a kick-arse company like this one, and not for one minute have I ever questioned that I was going to make it. My aspirations? To sit at the head of this company and run it properly and squash all the rumours.’

‘Rumours?’

Tahlia bit her lip, breathing slowly, willing her blood to cool and her heart to slow. ‘There have been a lot of rumours about the company lately,’ she said more carefully. Had she messed up? ‘You know, about how much financial trouble they’re in.’

‘Oh?’

She shrugged. ‘I’m surprised that a man as smart and as finger-on-the-pulse as you would want to get on board with a company obviously in trouble. There’s even a lawsuit going because Raquel messed up.’

‘That’s been settled.’

Tahlia frowned. ‘How do you know?’

‘I…’ Darrington rubbed his jaw ‘…heard it on the grapevine.’

‘Okay,’ she said slowly. ‘And why did you come here?’

He leant back in his chair. ‘I like a challenge.’

‘You’re not worried?’

He shook his head and stood up. ‘No. Are you?’ He moved around the desk and leant on the edge, looking down at her, his arms crossed. ‘Why would you stay on if the company is in trouble?’

Tahlia looked up at her boss, appreciating his move to that of dominance, and his wide shoulders. He was looking down at her with his dreamy blue eyes, his profile all power and his lips so enticing… It was a good move, to show who was boss.

‘I’ve got friends here,’ she said evenly. ‘They need their jobs and I figure I’m helping by staying, you know.’ She shrugged and stood up. Had she been too honest? ‘I’ve put a lot of work into this place; it would be hard to walk away.’ Incredibly hard, but if she had to go she was determined on doing her bit first.

She was close, just having the height advantage due to the fact he was leaning his cute butt on the edge of his desk and she was wearing heels.

She took a step closer, her brain stumbling for what she could do to soften the guy up. ‘So I’m here and eager to do whatever I can to get the company back on track, on plan, on the path to success and happiness for all.’

Case stood up. ‘Well, we’ll do our bit as best we can then, yes?’

Tahlia looked up into his face, fixing her gaze on his sapphire-blue eyes that were looking down at her, slightly narrowed as though trying to make her out. ‘Sure, but there’s one thing I have to know first,’ she said.

‘Yes, what’s that?’ he asked, his gaze dropping to her mouth.

Her mind went blank.

He was so close.

Her heart thundered in her chest. She moved, stumbled, reached out and touched his smooth silk tie and his hard chest underneath, looking up.

Their lips met.

His mouth quivered beneath hers, softened, yielded, and danced with hers.

He tasted as sweet and spicy as he smelt, like cinnamon toast and coffee… and his lips weren’t firm, they were soft, hot and intoxicating.

Heat rushed through her body and the urge to deepen the kiss, wrap her arms around his body and drown in the man almost swamped her.

Tahlia pulled back, letting the silk slide through her fingers. ‘O-kay,’ she breathed. ‘Thank you.’

His eyes glittered. ‘What was that?’ he croaked, his voice husky.

‘I’m…I’m pretty sure it was a…kiss,’ she offered softly, staring at his mouth, her own tingling with a need for more. The crazy desire to push up against his body and try that again throbbed deep inside her.

‘Yes.’ He straightened his tie and tightened the knot, smoothing the silk flat against his shirt. ‘Why?’

Her mind clambered for an answer. She had no idea how it had happened. Who had kissed whom? Oh, gawd. How had that happened?

‘Just checking,’ she said as casually as she could, swinging around and striding to the door on legs that felt spongy. She had to save this embarrassing situation and turn it around to her advantage.

‘Checking what, may I ask?’

Her mind spun. What? How he kissed? That he was willing? That she could rise to any challenge for the job? That she was a babbling klutz around the man? She touched her tingling lips. That he liked her?

She couldn’t help but smile. ‘That you sent the flowers.’

TO: [e-mail]

CC: [e-mail]

FROM: [e-mail]

RE: Men

Rub your good luck in, why don’t you? And I’m not protesting, I’m explaining. A girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do.

Tahlia

Chapter Eleven

Sagittarians—watch out, you may get more than you bargained for.

CASE sagged on to the edge of the desk, gripping the edge of the timber tightly. What in hell—or heaven— was she doing to him?

He rubbed his jaw. Reading his mind? Doing what he’d decided wasn’t a good idea? Taking the plunge and finding out if the feeling was mutual?

Hell, yes.

He had no idea how that had happened… Had he kissed her? Hell, he’d wanted to. He may have leant that bit closer, made it happen.

What a kiss!

She was more than a breath of fresh air—she was a spring breeze, warm and sensuous, encouraging a clean break from the past, the promise of something new and exciting.

He stared at his office door, his heart still pumping hard, his blood hot, his whole body still in reaction to those sweet soft lips that had teased him with a hunger that he longed to sate, slowly and sensually through the night with her.

And what a night it would be…exploring the magic that sparked between them like electricity, short-circuiting sense and setting off fires.

Case stood up, raking his hands through his hair. Dammit. This wasn’t the time.

He tried to laugh. That kiss had been one hell of a surprise. And he’d brought it on himself. He should have learnt by now that rash actions, like sending those flowers, led to trouble. Beautiful, radiant, curvaceous and irresistible trouble. A woman who he shouldn’t be engaging until after the staff assessments were done.

A relationship was built on honesty and how could he be honest when he was pretending he wasn’t himself?

Sure, she saw him as an almost-equal, saw him as he was…him. Hell, she would probably be perfectly suited to take over this position herself once he was done here.

He loved the way she talked to him—no airs, not a grace in sight and enough blunt barbs to sink a ship.

Would she be the same if she knew who he was? That he owned this company and several more? That he was so much more than the executive-on-the-way-up that he pretended to be? Would it matter to her?

It had mattered to Celia. She’d totally conned him into believing she loved him. That she couldn’t get enough of him, that she’d die if she wasn’t his for ever.

He’d never had anyone feel like that about him before, had been convinced it couldn’t happen if he didn’t have that same intensity and commitment. Had married her anyway and had done all he could to live up to her adoration.

He had been such a fool.

The fax machine bleated. Case ignored it. He knew who it was from, same time every day.

He hadn’t had a clue with Celia. Not when the ‘simple’ wedding to seal their love had turned into a three hundred guests media extravaganza because it was her ‘special’ day. Not when the Melbourne penthouse hadn’t been big enough and a twelve-room mansion on the park was what she wanted, because they did want to start a family. And not when her desire to see the world didn’t include him, because he had to stay at home and work for their future.

He had been an idiot. He’d rushed into Celia because she hadn’t wanted him to think straight. He wasn’t about to make the same mistake again.

This time he was older, wiser and in control.

Case moved to the fax machine, plucked the paper from the tray and went back to his desk, sitting down in his large leather chair, running his tongue across lips that begged for more.

Was the ball in his court? Did he want to return it? Hell, yes. No matter what had happened with Celia, there was no way he was going to miss out on discovering what lay beneath Tahlia Moran’s captivating layers—in due course, after his work was done.

He laid out the fax in front of him, forwarded from his head office. Since his mother had discovered the fax machine she’d committed herself to keeping him informed of the entire Darrington family tree via the fax.

She knew he was hard to catch, always on the go, busy-as-hell with his businesses and she’d given up on trying to talk to him ‘like normal people’ did on the phone and had found an alternative.

It was endearingly crazy. It wasn’t as if he needed to know what operation his father’s sister’s mother-in-law was having, who his cousin was dating or what the cook served for dinner last night, but he had to love her.

The curse of the only child, he guessed. Who else was she going to tell? His father was always busy— too busy for much except eating and sleeping and, of course, work.

His mother was still waiting for him to retire, so that they could have some time together, and his father could live life…only business came first.

Case jerked to his feet and strode to the door. He’d made enough mistakes where work was concerned. He wasn’t going to wait until business fell into place to live… And at this moment living meant Tahlia… and discovering everything about her.

Case couldn’t wait.

He gripped the door handle and paused. He’d have to be careful. He’d romance her in a leisurely way, with deliberate style and elegance, ensuring this staff assessment was done before he let himself drown in those sea-green eyes and luscious lips.

He wasn’t going to mix business with pleasure.

Tahlia couldn’t stop smiling.

Oh my God, she’d kissed her boss! And he’d been incredible.

She’d never considered an office romance before— old, crusty executives not being her thing—but right at this moment an office romance didn’t seem such a bad idea.

She bit her lip. The guy could kiss and was more than easy on the eyes and made her feel things in places she hadn’t known existed.

Darn it, but this was all wrong.

She was here for a reason and she hadn’t ever failed to complete a goal.

Darrington seemed to know nothing about doing the Marketing Executive job and had even less interest in finding out how to do it. How could he manage the whole design and sales team if he didn’t want to know what they were doing?

She sighed. He could be a nice guy but the fact remained that she had to do right by the company.

She punched Raquel’s extension. It was almost a shame to have to ‘out’ his failings to Raquel. Maybe Raquel wouldn’t have a total hissy-fit when she found out she’d hired a guy who couldn’t do the job and seemed more interested in the staff than doing what he was hired for.

Maybe she wouldn’t fire him but demote him. She could put him on as Tahlia’s assistant, or somewhere in Personnel…he seemed to be interested in people.

‘Wilson.’

‘It’s Mr Darrington’s assistant here,’ she said in a meek soft voice. ‘Would he be able to schedule a meeting with you at, say…eleven on Thursday?’ Tahlia held her breath. The week should be enough to gather the evidence that would support her case, if the Rottie agreed to the timing.

Raquel was notorious for messing people around just to make sure they knew the hierarchy—she was the boss and could do what she wanted. Tahlia would probably have to beg and grovel to get an appointment with her any time this month.

‘Mr Darrington. Yes. Of course. Not a problem.’ And she rang off.

Tahlia put the phone down in the cradle, staring at it, her stomach leaden. What was that? Raquel never just accepted a time without argument. Something was up…

‘Hey,’ a familiar deep voice said.

Tahlia’ s skin rippled as though a thousand butterflies had brushed her body. She looked up at Case. ‘Hey.’

‘I need to talk to you.’

She stood up, trying to suppress a smile. Couldn’t he get enough of her? She sobered. What could possibly have Raquel bowing to him? His good looks, his playboy eyes or that smile?

She narrowed her gaze, running her eyes over the man again, from the tip of his shiny black shoes to the tip of his spiky haircut. It didn’t matter.

By the end of the week she’d know every inch of this guy, inside and out. She’d discover all his secrets.

Tahlia’s gaze moved to Case’s mouth. She probably should avoid those lips. ‘What can I do for you, Mr Darrington… Case?’ she lilted.

He paused.

She watched his brow furrow. Oh, gawd. Had she got her signals crossed? Had the flowers been from someone else entirely? Had her clever saving-face parting proved she was crazy and she’d just made the biggest fool of herself for no reason at all or had she just scared him off with that incredibly stupid and impulsive kiss that had come out of nowhere?

She tipped her head. He didn’t seem like the sort of guy who would scare easily.

He moved closer. ‘I don’t mean that I’m not flattered or that I didn’t enjoy—’

Heat rushed to her cheeks. Oh, gawd. How could she have been so stupid? ‘So you didn’t send the flowers?’

‘I did, actually.’

She tapped the pen on her chin. She had known it! He was interested in her, at least enough to send her flowers on Friday—and by goodness that kiss had said as much. He hadn’t been exactly bone-cold beneath her lips—far from it.

He was putty in her hands.

She stared at his mouth again. It would just be so easy to lean forward, take a step, tiptoe and kiss him once more, wrap her arms around that firm, hard body.

She froze. To soften the guy up for an interrogation of his motives, not for anything else.

Her whole body ached. ‘Then?’ she blurted. ‘What? It was a mistake? The flowers were sent to the wrong address and it wasn’t me you were thinking of? It was someone else entirely and I took it to mean that you were as interested as your amazing blue eyes said you were and—’

Case stepped forward, the distance between them gone. He lifted his hand and touched her lips with his finger, stilling the words rushing from her mouth. ‘The kiss was amazing.’

The echo of her embarrassing jabbering faded in the wake of the look that shone in his sapphire-blue eyes, the incredible intimacy in his touch, the flames that scorched through every nerve in her body.

She couldn’t look away and couldn’t move.

He drew his finger back, watching her mouth, the tip of his finger brushing her bottom lip sending bolts of desire through her.

‘So?’ she whispered.

He dragged in a deep slow breath. ‘I…I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to—’

She stood taller. ‘Of course.’ Tahlia nodded tightly, trying to fight the surge of heat in her veins.

She would never have considered crossing the line herself under normal circumstances. How could she have thought a man like Case would cross it just because of her?

Had she really thought he’d be some office playboy looking for a quick roll in the copy paper? That the man could be flattered into blurting out his background and connections so she could use them against him?

She shook her head. ‘I understand. I am your personal-assistant-cum-glorified-secretary and I’m sure you don’t want any scandals on your CV.’

‘It’s not that.’

She stiffened. ‘It’s not? You’re not worried about what an affair with your PA could do to your future?’

‘An affair?’

She bit her lip. Oh, darn, where had that come from? How could she say so many stupid incriminating things around him? ‘Well, I guess I could be thinking along those lines,’ she said more carefully. If he wasn’t sitting in her chair and messing with her workplace. ‘And I wasn’t going to be so forward to suggest anything as threatening as a relationship.’

He crossed his arms over his chest. ‘Why would you think I’d be threatened by a relationship?’

She shrugged. ‘Most men are.’

He dropped his arms to his sides. ‘I’m not most men.’

She swallowed hard. ‘I can see that. So, if it’s not your employment future you’re worried about—’

‘No.’

‘Then?’ She looked towards the ceiling. Please let there not be an unrequited love, a dead girlfriend, an ex with a brood of kids. She caught herself. She didn’t care.

He slipped his hands into his pockets. ‘I already guaranteed you that I wouldn’t get too personal with my assistant.’

Relief washed through her like spring rain. ‘I’m sure I could overlook that under the circumstances,’ she said softly, smiling. Back to Plan A—flirt him into making a fatal mistake.

‘And those circumstances are?’

Tahlia looked at her heels, wishing she didn’t feel quite so much for the idea. ‘That your assistant is me.’

Chapter Twelve

Too many cooks spoil the… bachelor?

‘HELLO, handsome.’

The redhead stepped out from behind a large fern in the hallway, her modest attire doing nothing to dampen the gleam in her eyes.

Case stopped. ‘Good afternoon, Chrystal,’ he offered casually, looking past her to where he wanted to go.

‘Case,’ she lilted, fluttering her lashes and looking up into his eyes.

‘Is there something I can do for you?’ he asked, cringing. He had a fair idea what the woman wanted and there was no way he was going there.

‘Actually, yes,’ she purred, leaning into him as though she still had her revealing top on. ‘I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me some time, you know, like on a date.’

Case swallowed hard. ‘I’m flattered by your offer, but I—’

She touched his arm, pouting. ‘You want to get to know all your staff, don’t you? Well, some of your staff are worth getting to know better.’

Tahlia’s smiling eyes leapt to his mind.

Chrystal stroked his arm. ‘And there’s only so much you can find out about a person by working with them.’

‘Ye-es,’ he said slowly, the idea tumbling through his mind.

She sighed deeply. ‘I understand that it’s just so much easier for some people to open up to others after hours, away from the workplace.’

He nodded slowly. ‘Look, it’s been lovely talking to you but I have to get back to work.’

‘Don’t you think I’m pretty?’

Case froze. He was on dangerous ground. He knew more than anyone what a woman scorned was capable of. ‘Yes, but—’

She reached up and stroked her fingers down his cheek. ‘So don’t you think you should give “us” a chance?’

Us? Case stepped back. ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t.’ His mind spun. ‘I’m just not…up to it.’

The woman’s forehead creased. ‘Okay, but whatever the problem is, I think I could help.’

He sucked in a deep breath. ‘It’s something that only time can heal, I’m afraid.’

‘Oh?’ She touched her palm against his chest.

‘Yes,’ he rushed on, extricating himself from her hand. ‘I’m not ready. I can’t. I’ve just been divorced, only a few months ago…and I can’t. It was tough. Nasty. You know, bad.’

Chrystal’s eyes widened. ‘Oh.’

‘So thank you for your kind offer, but—’

‘I understand,’ she said softly, patting his shoulder. ‘Sure. I get it. Just know I’m here for you…for anything, even talking, if you need to.’

He sighed. ‘Thanks.’ He sidled past her, shaking his head. He couldn’t believe he’d said that to her. It was the truth. He’d been divorced…nearly twelve months ago. And although he’d dated on and off, he wasn’t dating anyone manipulative and self-serving like Celia. No chance in hell.

Case detoured via Sales. She had been right about one thing, though.

He glanced into the Sales Director’s office, at Tahlia, bending over her desk, gathering files, juggling coffee and balancing a pen between her lips. Was he asking too much of her?

Doing her job and helping him was a big ask. But by the gleam in her eyes she seemed to be enjoying the challenge.

He was glad she thrived on it. He liked being near her. Had enjoyed the day with her, having her leaning close to him, her perfume sweeping around him, her warm body close, her sweet voice explaining patiently the ins and outs of the place.